The Music of Dolphins by Karen Hesse Date of Publication: 1996 ISBN: 0-590-89798-5 Number of Pages: 181

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Junior: Average Intermediate: Low
GENRES: Realism
THEMES : Life versus Death - Family - Prejudice - Coming of Age - Survival - Isolation

SUMMARY:
Mila is discovered one day on a small cay between Cuba and Florida. The young girl has apparently managed to survive a plane crash years earlier, and has grown up with only a pod of wild dolphins for company. "Rescued" by the Coast Guard and taken away from the only life and "family" she's ever known, Mila is taught to speak English, use the computer, read, and "become human." Most importantly, Mila is taught how to make music, which is the closest thing to dolphin language that she can find. Unfortunately, Mila begins to discover that becoming human isn't all it is cracked up to be, especially when she sees another feral child, Shay, struggling and failing to adjust. In her grief for her dolphin family, and her sadness over the lost Shay, Mila realizes that her heart lies elsewhere, and only by returning to her ocean life can she truly be at peace.

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...
- adores dolphins and/or the ocean
- loves music in all its facets
- feels like he/she doesn't belong
- is a close observer of life around him/her
- is into science and the way humans develop
- likes stories told in first person
- likes stories told in a lyrical style

WHAT ELSE?
This is an amazing book, winning a myriad of awards, including a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, a New York Public Library Children's Title for Reading and Sharing, and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. It has many deeper issues that are woven into the plot and will provoke wonderful discussion, and its style is fascinating (the fonts and text change as Mila's language improves, as well as when she is remembering her earlier days).

There is one part where Mila explains that she was saved because her dolphin mother provided her with milk, and this may creep out the odd kid. It isn't graphically described, just stated matter-of-factly, and in a scientific context, but be aware. There is also a reference to the other feral child, Shay, being kept in a closet without human contact by a mother who couldn't care for her. This reference to an abusive situation might be sensitive with some students who have had a rough upbringing or been victims themselves.

RELATED LINK:
There are a ton of internet links to go with this novel, including all sorts of teacher options at http://www.edhelper.com/books/The_Music_of_Dolphins.htm and
http://www.multcolib.org/talk/guides-music.html